Thirteen

chptop.eps

The three foundations of Spirituality: Hearth as altar, work as worship, and service as sacrament.

Celtic Triad

In the same way we ride the Wheel of the Year, the Cycle reveals itself to us monthly through the moon’s phases. Harnessing this energy every month is where our inner work originates. We see echoes of the greater cycle reverberating in the smaller one, pushing us through our day-to-day revelations, building up to greater insights that come through the work of the yearly cycle, culminating in the cycle of our lives when our time here is through. Indeed, even as we cycle around the incarnational wheel, the same energies move through and over us until we finally attain ultimate wholeness—union with the Divine.

At the full moon, women of Avalon come together in ritual, seeking the wisdom of the Goddess to aid and guide the inner process. In the light of the moon’s fullness, the answers are revealed, and the work of the month is presented. As the lunar energy wanes, we travel deeply into ourselves, seeking information we need and following guidance we received at the full moon. This journey leads us deeper within ourselves, until the moon is fully obscured and the Mysteries guard themselves.

In solitude, we look into the mirror at the dark moon. Just as we harness the full moon’s energy to connect with the Goddess in our community of sisters, at the dark moon we find Her deep within ourselves. The power of the moon turns inward at this time, and so too does women’s wisdom. From the dark we turn again toward the light and the promise of renewal that is the new moon, that sliver in the sky sprouting new growth from darkness. As she waxes, we too begin to manifest what we have learned from our inner questing, and our changes become apparent as we work to integrate our newfound wisdoms into our lives. We return at the full, bringing what we have learned and accomplished since our last dance beneath her silver light, asking for the next step on our ever-winding journey home.

The cycle of the year, the cycle of the moon, the cycle of our lives, and the cycle of wisdom all weave the same pattern of Descent, Confrontation, Emergence, Resolution, and Integration. As we align ourselves with these natural rhythms, we will find that our work parallels the energies of the present point of cycle. As we begin the process at the third quarter moon or Calan Gaeaf (Samhain), the Station of Descent, we enter into the Dark Half of the Cycle, focusing upon what hinders us and prevents us from being all that we are. The work continues as we come to the dark moon or Gwyl Mair (Imbolc), the Station of Confrontation. At this darkest point of the Cycle, the shadow is revealed.

We take the hard-earned understanding of our pain and the previously unconscious motivations to which it relates, up into the light with us, to the Emergence into the Light Half of the Cycle at Calan Mai (Beltane) or the first quarter moon. Here, we now plant the seeds of light, that wondrous part of ourselves which will take the place of the darkness we toiled to uproot. Resolution at Gwyl Awst (Lughnasadh) and at the full moon sees the seeds come into fruition. Healing has taken place, and a new energy has come from this Transformation—an energy which will support the genuine self. The Cycle repeats itself as we peel away a new layer and work towards the Descent with new insight and new tools at our disposal.

Connecting with the Goddesses of Avalon

In the Avalonian Tradition, we come before the Goddess at the full moon to seek Her guidance in our work and support through our process. At the dark moon, we look into Her mirror to see what lies beyond the limitations of our sight, driven unremittingly to lift the veil of illusion. The Goddess is our soul’s greatest resource and most
constant advocate, helping us to stay the course on the path to wholeness. Through ritually empowering our Immram work and harnessing the power of the Avalonian Cycle of Healing, we can make real and meaningful contact with the Ladies of Avalon—seeking the wisdom of the Cauldron found both in our souls and in the landscape of the Sacred Isle itself.

The Goddesses of Avalon are honored at specific points in the Cycle and are associated with particular places in the Sacred Landscape. Depending upon where we are in the the Cycle, we can choose to connect with the goddess who oversees the energy of that Station by performing an Immram at a time and to a place on Avalon corresponding with Her energy. For example, it is recommended to begin aligning ourselves with the Cycle of Healing starting at the Station of Descent. Therefore, we could perform an Immram to the Red Spring during the third quarter moon, in order to connect with Rhiannon. Once in Her presence, we can ask for guidance about the parts of our soul process relevant to the energy of the Station of Descent—uncovering outmoded patterns that hold us back, revealing illusions we have accepted as truths about ourselves, and discovering the true the nature of our shadow.

Alternatively, we can choose to align with the energies of the cycle of the sun, working with the goddess that corresponds to the position we currently occupy in the Wheel of the Year. Doing this will aid our merging with the power of the Great Cycle, and we will surely find that in time, our personal energies will come to mirror the unfolding essence of the natural order. The Cycle has no real starting place so it is possible to begin Cycle of Healing work at any point; we can use the self-reflective questions associated with each Station as a guide to determine our work’s focus at any position in the Avalonian Cycle of Healing. However we choose to approach the work, the important thing is that we engage in this transformational process and build a relationship with the Lady and the Land.

Connecting with the Goddesses of Avalon in this fashion is a wonderful opportunity for us to learn more about these sacred matrons and about Avalon itself. We can use time spent in Their presence to inquire about the lessons of Their stories and to discover Their symbols, totems, sacred herbs, and the appropriate ways to honor Them. Working with the Ladies of Avalon can also facilitate our ability to delve deeply into the Sacred Landscape, allowing us to learn more about how these holy sites were used by the women of Avalon.

It is important to remember that the unasked question cannot be answered. The more time spent traveling to the Holy Isle and seeking the company of the Divine, the stronger our connection to the goddesses and the archetypal realm of Avalon will become. As with any discipline, it will take time to hone our skills, but in the long run, our efforts will pay off bountifully. This discipline is seen in its highest manifestation by a commitment to connecting with the Goddesses of Avalon through regular ritual.

Solitary Avalonian Ritual

By definition, ritual is the repetition of a series of actions with the intention to obtain a specifically desired result. In many ways, it is like performing a science experiment. Specific ingredients are mixed in proper proportions and subjected to particular actions. The yield is the sought-after result. The ability to reproduce results is the keystone of science; that is, something is considered scientifically true if the results can be empirically measured and repeated. In many ways, therefore, preparing for ritual is as important as performing it.

The ultimate objective of the Avalonian Tradition is to birth the authentic self; to peel away the masks we wear and shed the roles we play born of others’ expectations. As a reflection of this, we come before the Goddess in ritual without makeup or fancy adornment, save for those items which hold significance to the work. We choose to garb ourselves in robes and hooded cloaks of dark blue and black, to help us align our energies with the deep magnetic nature of the Divine Feminine, in resonance with the historic descriptions of Celtic Priestesses. Ideally, these cloaks are made of natural fibers such as wool and linen in order to approximate the clothing native Britons would have worn.

Together, these aid in our linking to the Avalonian archetype—the similarity to the dress of the Priestesses of the Holy Isle. Everything about these vestments, from the color to the fabric, is energetically in synchrony with our roles as Sisters of Avalon. The jewelry we choose to wear in ritual should also reflect this energy. Since we work primarily with feminine lunar energies, silver is best. The stones, forms, and images of our adornments should reflect our personal work, represent Avalon and the Goddess, or be another personal power symbol.

Ritual garb is a powerful tool that facilitates a shift in consciousness—of the self and others—from the secular world to sacred space. Enrobing oneself in clothing and jewelry set aside for ritual use makes a powerful energetic statement. With each ritual, the attire we choose becomes more and more empowered with the magickal essence of our workings. In time, the simple act of dressing in ritual clothing will cause a shift in consciousness, reducing the time and energy needed to complete the metamorphosis from the mundane to the magickal.

It is recommended that you not allow other people to touch your ritual objects, clothing, or jewelry so that energy building up and empowering these objects (keyed into your person and your work) are not dissipated or diluted by others’ energies. A good way to store your ritual items is to wrap them in silk, a natural energetic insulator. A silk cloth will prevent any charge from fading.

Before beginning this or any working, it is important to prepare your ritual space and to set your intention. Ensure you have all your needed supplies, that you have turned off the telephone, and have asked people living in a shared space to give you some personal time—these steps are crucial to your working’s success. If working outdoors, you must be sure that your clothing is appropriate to the weather conditions; nothing can break ritual concentration more than being too hot or too cold, or wearing inappropriate footwear. Once mundane concerns have been addressed, move forward into creating your sacred space.

The Avalonian Altar

The altar is the focus of ritual in many cultures and belief systems around the world. It is a powerful archetype that is universal in its purpose; a place set apart that acts as a connection between profane and sacred. Very often, this symbolic sacred center included a representation of the axis mundi—the world axis—often a pole, tree, or central standing stone; it acted as the focus of the village or homestead. Therefore, when constructing an altar, you are creating a center around which your ritual universe revolves.

Setting up a ritual altar is a powerful devotional experience; time and care should be taken to consciously collect or create objects that will occupy symbolic space on your altar. Ultimately, your altar is an expression of your desire to bridge worlds and connect with the Divine; it should reflect your passion, personality, and the fruits of efforts you have made to understand yourself, Avalon, and her goddesses. What follows is an outline of suggested components for your Avalonian altar. As always, your Sovereign self should have the final say on what you include in your sacred space.

1. Representations of the Three Realms

As Celtic cosmology takes a tripartite view of creation, these facets of the whole are represented on our altar:

the silver branch: an apple branch with nine silver bells hung along its length, it symbolizes the Upper World or the Druidic circle of Ceuguent. The Silver Branch is what calls us to the quest. It is the desire of the priestess self to actualize its potential and come into complete awareness of the Divine within. The creation of the Silver Branch as a ritual tool should be done with consciousness and clear purpose. It is helpful to craft this tool during the waxing moon, imbuing it with the intention of it opening the self to Avalon’s pathways, resonating over the lake of the spirit to part the mists of illusion.

the tree of life: symbolizing the Middle World or the Druidic Circle of Abred, it is the World Tree that bridges the Three Realms. Represented by a woody plant or small tree on indoor altars, or a fully grown tree—preferably apple—outdoors, the Tree of Life allows us to journey to the Upper and Lower Worlds, taking the Otherworldly energies found in the unconscious Lower World and the transpersonal Upper World and bring them into consciousness in the heart of the self. We can use the wisdoms found above and below to aid in effecting soul change and personal transformation in the here and now.

the cauldron of inspiration: embodying the aspect of the Lower World or the Druidic Circle of Gwynfyd, the cauldron is a hanging or three-legged iron vessel representing the regenerative and creative powers of the Goddess. It is the source of the wisdom that lies deep within the self beneath the inner waters of the unconscious. The cauldron, holding the essence of the power of the Divine Feminine, is the ultimate object of the soul’s quest and a potent tool of transformation. Make an infusion or strong tea of the herb vervain (Verbena officinalis), an herb of Sight, by adding two tablespoons of vervain to sixteen ounces of water that has sat for five minutes after boiling. After it is cooled and strained, pour the infusion into the cauldron in preparation for use in this solitary ritual. (NOTE: If you are pregnant, do not use vervain; make an infusion of catnip [Nepata cataria] instead. Although both vervain and catnip are herbs that are traditionally taken internally, always check with a health care professional before ingesting any herbal product.)

2. The Apple

Sliced horizontially through its center to reveal the five-pointed star within, the apple is an evocative symbol to keep on your altar, recalling the five Goddesses of Avalon and the five Stations of the Avalonian Cycle of Healing. As we have seen, the apple itself is an ancient archetype of women’s wisdom and is one of the most vital symbols of Avalon, the Holy Island that bears its name.

3. The Offering Bowl

Made of whatever material or shape you wish, the offering bowl or plate holds a gift which will be left outside after the ritual working in an energy exchange that honors the local spirits, elementals, and ancestors. This offering can take many forms, including: food, libation, herbs, and stones.

4. Incense

Burning incense during a ritual serves a two purposes: it empowers and reinforces the energetic tone you are trying to set through your work, and it acts as an offering to the goddess with whom you are connecting. It is especially effective to create your own incense blends specific to your ritual intention by researching herbs and resins sacred to Avalon and the goddess you wish to honor. Take into consideration the phase of the moon and the energy of the Station you are working through when making your incense. It is always ideal to harvest and dry these herbs yourself, but you can purchase some of them in metaphysical shops or natural food stores. However you obtain the herbs, grind the components with intention using a mortar and pestle and sprinkle the resulting blend over a lit charcoal disk during your ritual working. The lit charcoal should be placed in a ceramic dish filled with sand or in a small iron cauldron kept on your altar just for this purpose. Resources for herbs and incense blends can be found in the appendix.

5. Intention Ribbons

Ranging from coarse homespun to fine linen, scraps of cloth were tied to overhanging tree branches and left as offerings to the spirits and deities of the many sacred wells that dotted the British Isles. These prayer ribbons would carry the prayers, requests, and intentions of pilgrims to the Goddess’ ears, empowered by the three Celtic Realms of Land (the tree), Sea (the well), and Sky (the wind). To keep with this humble yet powerful ancient practice, obtain strips of cloth or ribbons to use as a representation of your commitment to the work of the coming lunar cycle as revealed to you during this moon ritual. These ribbons of may be of different colors, reflecting either the tone or energy of the work, or the place in the Cycle it is holding. After working with them, these intention ribbons will be tied to the Tree of Life on your altar. Like those of the pilgrims of the past, they will hang between Worlds, spanning the threshold space, and broadcast our intent by existing in all Three Realms simultaneously.

6. Other

Objects, statuary, tools like a finger labyrinth, or images to connect you to Avalon and the Lady you are working with may also be included on your altar, as simple or elaborate as you wish. The important thing is to ensure that everything you place on your altar serves a purpose and is a reflection of the energy with which you wish to work or connect.

Between the Worlds

After your altar is set up and your ritual intention is clear, you may proceed with this solitary ritual.

1. Entering the Otherworld

Begin your working with nine shakes of the Silver Branch, symbolically embarking upon your journey beyond the Ninth Wave and into the Otherworld. This action marks the transition of consciousness from what is without to the realm of what is within, and from what is mundane to what is sacred.

2. Establishing the Power Breath

Adopt your Power Breath (p. 54) to help move you into ritual stance. Do this for at least three cycles of nine, focusing on the ebb and flow of your inner tides. You should maintain the Power Breath throughout your working.

3. Three Realms Exercise

Perform the Three Realms exercise (beginning on p. 191) in order to cleanse and clear your energy space as well as to expand your consciousness to the Sacred Landscape within and without.

4. Raising the Stones

Establish safe and sacred space around and within you by envisioning yourself surrounded by a circle of nine standing stones. With your breath and intention, will the circle of stones into existence, taking as much time as you need to really feel them solidly around you. It may be helpful to use nine physical stones to mark your circle and use them to tie into the energy of raising the tall standing stones; quartz crystals or Welsh bluestone (the type used to create the inner circle of Stonehenge, and other ancient British megaliths) are particularly good at holding this energy. When you can feel that the stones are strongly around you, use your Silver Branch to trace the circle three times around you in a moonwise (counterclockwise) direction, connecting the tall stones to each other by a web of silvery energy that maintains your space and empowers your working. When the stones are raised, stand in the center and three times chant or speak the following:

The Ninefold Blessing of Avalon

Nine times beat the Owl’s Wings

Avalon above me

Nine times ride the Shining Mare

Avalon below me

Nine times drink the Cauldron’s Brew

Avalon within me

Nine times turn the Silver Wheel

Avalon around me

Nine times sing the Starling’s song

Avalon come through me

Nine times spin the Motherline

Avalon behind me

Nine times weave the Priestess Cloak

Avalon before me

Nine times join the Sister’s Dance

Avalon beside me

Nine times birth the Blessed Isle

Avalon beyond me

Ninefold blessings surround me

Ninefold Illuminations fill me

Ninefold transformations make me whole

5. Charging the Cauldron

Using the Hermetic principle that like attracts like, lift your arms to the moon—either directly in her light or through the power of visualization—and inhale her feminine energy, filling your aura structure with lunar essence. Envision yourself enrobed in an orb of silvery moonlight—light and sparkling when the moon is full, heavy and magnetic when the moon is dark. When you feel you are completely filled with moon energy, turn your hands down over the cauldron on your altar and discharge all of the energy you have collected into the waiting vessel. Exhale it until you are completely emptied of the moon energy, now condensed into the vervain or catnip infusion. Holding the charged cauldron as you proceed with the ritual Immram to follow will empower your journey and serve as an additional medium of communication with the Lady, as we will see.

6. Chant: Barge of Power

Barge of Power is a powerful chant that helps to open the doorway into the realms of Avalon. It describes the inner journey to the Holy Island and calls upon the energies of the Three Realms—the Power of Land, the Wisdom of Sea, and the Freedom of Sky—to move us through the veil of illusion and across the lake of the Unconscious, until we arrive at last on her shores. Use this chant to help you to pierce the shadowy mists that seek to bar you from recognizing the truth of all that you are, and to help set you on your path to Avalon. Repeat the chant at least three times in your working, and visualize the energies moving through and around you as you move deeper within.

Barge of Power, take me to Her shore

Barge of Wisdom, take me to Her shore

Part the mists which blind me

Reclaim the Lake inside me

Barge of Freedom, take me to Her shore

7. Journeying to Avalon

Holding the charged cauldron to your chest or in your lap, settle into your space and begin the Immram to the Station site aligned with the intention of your work or which is appropriate to honor the goddess at the present point in the yearly cycle.

red spring: Station of Descent, Rhiannon

the tor: Station of Confrontation, Ceridwen

white spring: Station of Emergence, Blodeuwedd

modron’s mound: Station of Resolution, Arianrhod

island of avalon: Station of Integration, Branwen

When you reach Avalon on the Barge, call your guide and journey to the part of the island that is your focus for this working, asking to be brought into the Goddess’ presence. Arriving at the sacred space, announce yourself, present your request to connect with the Lady, and speak the reason for your journey; make your intentions known. When you feel the time is right, speak the invocation to the goddess with whom you are seeking to connect (found in chapter 13), or better yet—create your own. Spend time in contemplative silence, awaiting Her arrival and keeping yourself focused and open.

When She arrives at the sacred site, acknowledge Her presence with an outward display of honor and respect—a bow, or perhaps a deep curtsey. The Goddess may appear to you in physical form, in the guise of one of Her sacred animals, or in another form entirely, so keep your mind open to any possibilities. Take the time now to ask for Her guidance and for any information that will help you on your journey of unfolding. Remember to ask specific questions and wait for a reply.

You may receive your answers in many ways—you may hear Her voice in your head, see image or symbols play before your eyes, or even feel an awareness or knowing unassociated with any physical sense. As with all things, it may take time for you to build your discernment and sharpen your receptivity to be clear enough to be conscious of information the Goddess has for you. Do not be discouraged if you meet any challenges in obtaining information, for the universe will ensure that you will receive all you need in a perceivable manner, be it in dreams or as a symbol you encounter multiple times throughout the day. Suspend your disbelief and be open.

When your time spent in communion comes to a close, ask the Goddess to bless the waters of the cauldron you are holding and imbue it with Awen, so that by scrying in its depths, you may receive additional information and insight about your work. When She is done and you feel that it is time for your communication to end, thank the Goddess for Her presence and assistance. Once more, make an obvious sign of respect to honor the Divine Lady, and bid Her farewell with the following, or a line of your own creation:

It is with Love that I have called You, and with Love I now release You

May I serve You in all that I do, and may everything I do serve You.

Watch and feel Her energies gently take leave of you and the sacred site before you. Spend some time in silent contemplation of all that you have seen and experienced. When ready, your guide leads you back through the orchard and to the shores of the lake, where the Barge of Avalon awaits you. Turn once more to face the island, and thank the Lady and all the guardians of this sacred space for supporting your work and allowing you to visit. Bid your guide farewell, and climb aboard the Barge to complete your journey to the other side of the lake, bringing with you the memory of all that has come before to the here and the now.

NOTE: When first performing this solitary ritual, you may wish to skip the next two steps and move directly to partake of the Graal of Wisdom. When you have accumulated experience and can perform this ritual with confidence, add the next two steps to your ritual practice after connecting with the Goddess and returning from Immram.

8. Scrying in the Cauldron

Use the empowered cauldron to scry for additional information and insights as described on pg. 102, keeping your ritual intention and the experiences from your Immram and communication with the goddess in mind.

9. Cloth of Intention

Take the ribbon that has been waiting on your altar and spend time infusing it with the goal of your work for the coming cycle, guided by the information received from scrying and in Immrama. When it feels strongly charged with your intention, immerse the ribbon in the waters of the cauldron to connect it with your work and the Divine blessings of the Goddess to support you in your process. Tie the wet ribbon on a branch of the Tree of Life. Throughout the coming month, the plant’s vital energies will empower your intentions and will serve as a point of connection where that which is above meets that which is below. Keep the ribbon in the tree until your next moon working, when a different ribbon representing the next month’s endeavor will replace it.

10. The Graal of Wisdom

Take three sips of the charged and blessed herbal infusion directly from the cauldron, asking that the gifts of Awen and the Triple Illumination of Wisdom be granted you as you embark upon the work of the coming moon cycle. Take the time to feel this sacred liquid enter your body, making note of any energy shifts that may occur. It is indeed a sacrament, recalling the three drops of wisdom culled from the Cauldron of Ceridwen. As it did for Gwion, may it catalyze our own transformation. Pour the remaining liquid as an offering to the plant representing the Tree of Life, asking that it nourish and empower the intentions represented by the focus ribbon tied into its branches.

11. Taking Down the Stones

With intention, ground out the circle by breathing all remaining energies down into the Earth, envisioning as you do the nine standing stones retreating back into the Mother’s womb. Visualize the energies rejuvenating the landscape, cleansing and empowering the land. Breathe the circle down until you feel it has been completely grounded and released. Shake the Silver Branch three times to clear any remaining energies, and to mark your return from the ritual journey. In your own words, thank the Goddess, your guide, our Avalonian ancestors, and the energies of the land for their support of your work.

12. Leaving the Offering

Having absorbed the energies and intentions of your ritual, leave your offering dish on your outdoor altar, or bring it outdoors, even if only to place it outside your windowsill. Leave your offering dish overnight or place its contents beneath a tree or bush as a gift of thanks to the local spirits of the land you live on.

13. Journaling

As with all workings, keep a journal of your ritual work, including questions you asked and the answers that came to you. Make note of the kind of information you received, making sure to draw any symbols or describe any images or memories your work brought up. Record the date, time of day, moon phase, weather, where you are in your menstrual cycle, and your emotional state both before and after the ritual. Through journal keeping, patterns will emerge concerning your experience and your personal process. These patterns will provide you with clues that can lead to greater self-understanding and issue resolution, even if the component pieces may not make sense immediately.

It is always inspiring to read through your journal entries every few months to acknowledge your progress and gain new perspective. The ancients adjure us to “Know Thyself.” Keeping a journal of your thoughts and insights as you walk the path of your spiritual unfolding is a powerful and empowering way to come into this self-knowledge, and through it, your knowledge of the Goddess and Avalon.

Performing the solitary Avalonian ritual every month at the full and dark moons is a powerful means to connect with the Goddess and receive Her guidance in our work. Acknowledging patterns, gaining insight into the root causes of destructive behaviors, and receiving a plan for manifesting an aspect of the person we wish to become are critical milestones on our journey. However, we can only truly move forward along the path to wholeness by actively participating in our personal process and actively effecting changes in our lives—that is, making choices based on the information we have received, and living in right action.

Establishing a daily discipline of inner work is a powerful support to help you reset the personal energy you have reclaimed and keep the channels of your perceptions clear, so you will begin to see yourself and the world with new eyes. Make a commitment to yourself to spend at least fifteen minutes a day in sacred space, performing the Middle Pillar exercise and the Three Realms working. Practice your Power Breath whenever and wherever you can. Journey to the Island of Avalon at least three times a week, continuing to explore the landscape area associated with the Goddess or Station you are working with, especially through the use of the Avalonian landscape postures. Alternatively, perform Immrama to all the landscape areas each month at their corresponding moon phases, moving around the Cycle from Descent to Integration, to examine the issue you are working on from all sides.

Bring the changes you have made and the further insights you have obtained with you before the Goddess at your next moon ritual. Build the work of the upcoming cycle on the foundation you laid during the last turn of the lunar tide. The more time and energy you put into your soul growth and desire to build a strong relationship with each Lady of the Holy Island, the wider will swing the doorway to the Realms of Avalon. As always, journal everything. It will serve both as a record of your process and progress, and as a way to honor your sacred nature.